I want to go back to the extra-sporting event that rocked Quebec these past few days.
A young referee was struck by a spectator in a soccer match between two teams of rookie players under the age of 14, Saturday, in Dollard-des-Ormeaux, west of the island of Montreal.
What could explain that a young man, in the service of the sport he admires, would find himself under the blows of this grandfather, a priori without incident, approached to persuade his grandson in the worst way this time.
The retired former teacher does not himself explain it.
Faced with the longing provoked by his bad behavior, the latter sent his heartfelt apology, in a lengthy letter sent to Soccer Quebec, to Saint-Laurent Soccer Club and to the victim’s family.
Whose responsibility is this?
Clearly, the first responsible was this man who, in this act, betrayed the core values he had taught himself to his former students.
It also reflects a certain tension often seen on the sidelines of young amateur players from Quebec and elsewhere.
The stakes are often higher than the game because some parents are overly excited and often encouraged to see in their son or their daughter the future Cristiano Ronaldo or the future Christine Sinclair.
This leads to overflows that are difficult to control for officials and clubs.
Despite this, I think this sad event, which was commented on and condemned on Twitter by the Minister responsible for Sports, Isabelle Charest, should serve as a turning point for clubs, so that this kind of behavior does not to be repeated.
Although it is difficult to take any responsibility in looking at the facts, they should seek the help of public authorities to increase the safety of the players in the game.
Because as a former player and father of two boys, like all parents, I want to know that my children are safe when they enroll in a sports organization, without experiencing realities like this despite themselves.
These are the situations I experienced myself when I was a child, in the Paris region.
I have lost count of matches that had to be delayed or suspended due to the bad behavior of some spectators in the refereeing corps, or even us, with the players.
We were the first to be punished, while our only wish was to perform our passion with friends in the locker room.
This is why this event can and should serve as an example and allow all actors to draw conclusions for it to happen again as little as possible.
The ease of this supporter to access the stadium may raise questions.
Pedagogy toward parents or even the absence of safer partitions can be ways for reflection, in collaboration with public authorities, to curb this type of behavior.
I also think that the professional world has a big role to play.
It is common to see incidents that coincide with major European soccer nights seen by millions of spectators around the world.
Throwing objects on the field, clashes between supporters or these insults to the referee are plagues that have a real impact on the amateur world as a whole, often acting by imitating and repeating the this behavior.
Referees are important in the game. It is important to highlight and defend this difficult function, as it allows players to express their talent on the pitch.
I sincerely hope that this move will not discourage some young people who are set to enroll in this work, because without you, soccer will not survive.
Source: Radio-Canada
